Wednesday, January 30, 2013

After attending the Clinique Christmas workshop way back in November I was very curious about the two serums I tested. During December, there was a Nordstrom Clinique GWP and I decided to take advantage of that to try out the Repairwear Laser Focus Serum and the Even Better Dark Spot Corrector.

(Information taken from Nordstrom website)Potent serum gives skin a second chance against lines, wrinkles and sun damage. In 4 weeks, see obvious reduction in lines and wrinkles, improved texture. At 12 weeks, the visible wrinkle-reducing power is remarkably close to a dermatological laser procedure. 63%, to be exact. Different commitment, different results. And yet impressive results, guaranteed.

Clinical trials this serum was comparable to a leading prescription ingredient in visibly reducing dark spots with a verified 58% improvement at 12 weeks. All skin tones started seeing results at four weeks and even traces of acne past improved. For all ethnicities.

How to use: Apply twice a day after 3-Step Skin Care System. Never forget the sunscreen. Results are guaranteed.

My Clinique arsenal

I use the dark spot corrector followed by the repairwear serum.

These two serums are very light weight and easily absorbed by the skin. They are unscented. They give me a lovely velvety feel after I apply these two. I do see that my skin is slightly lighter and is going back to its normal colouring after my December sun activities but I have not seen my darkest sun spots fading. And I have been using this for more than a month.

So far my skin has not been acting up except for my oilies which I find hard to control and the occasional pimple.

Xylinum Black Tea Ferment - Improves skin density and to help minimize the appearance of lines and wrinkles and smooth under eye cross hatching.

Chlorella Vulgaris, Palmitoyl Oligopeptide and Siegesbeckia Orientalis Extract - stimulate natural collagen and elastin production to help plump the skin and strengthen its ability to bounce back.

I have been using this eye cream for about 6 weeks now and I think it is about time I did I review on this.

Just to recap, I do not have dark eye circles or many lines around my eyes. I am generally very happy with my eye area. My only concerns are fine lines which appear around my eyes especially when I smile. I have never had milia seeds when I use eye creams so I'm generally okay with heavier eye creams.

As it is a cream, it is slightly heavier in texture as opposed to a gel formula. So if you are into lightweight gels, you might not like this.

That being said, it is easily absorbed and I have yet to get milia seeds from this cream. After application, the area under my eye feels well moisturized and firm to the touch.

It is unscented.

I have sun spots around my eyes due to the amount of outdoor activity I do. I have yet to see the sun spots disappear even though I use this cream twice a day.

Overall, it is a nice eye cream that moisturises my eye area well. It may take more time to see whether it erases my fine lines and my sun spots.

Saturday, January 26, 2013

I was very fortunate to have been invited by the good people at Origins to get to know more about their anti-aging range of skincare products called Plantscription.

I used to buy their bath and body products and love Ginger and A Perfect World a long time ago (before my faithless eyes turned to other products!) so this was a wonderful opportunity for me to reacquaint myself to Origins products.

Who isn't interested in anti-aging products? I dread the approach of my fortieth birthday. I am honestly afraid of looking old. To hopefully slow down this undeniable aging process, I have been looking towards anti-aging products to help me.

Plantscription has 6 products in its arsenal to help ladies.

It contains Anogeissus tree bark extract, an anti-aging ingredient.

Anogeissus extract as a potent natural wound healer and antimicrobial. Origins discovered that the extract of the bark demonstrated an excellent ability to protect collagen and help boost skin’s natural production levels of a glycoprotein called fibrillin.

Although it's not a prescription, in just 4 weeks nature's next generation power plant noticeably reduces wrinkle length & depth. Without the irritation. Visibly helps repair the vertical fret lines between your eyes, the stubborn furrows across your forehead and the deepening frownies that frame your mouth. Youthful "bounce" is revived. Skin is clinically firmer, smoother and more lifted-looking. And with continued use, results improve.

Plantscription Anti-Aging eye treatment (15ml SGD $78)

As a lightweight alternative to Plantscription™ Anti-aging eye cream, this eye treatment

is a fast-penetrating gel that visibly repairs four visible signs of eye-area aging including the appearance of crow’s feet, cross hatching and crepey lids while lifting and firming saggy skin.

Formulated with a potent combination of Anogeissus Tree Bark as well as Kombucha (fermented Black Tea), elasticity and turgor are ushered back into the age-hollowed eye area for more youthful-looking skin. Safe for all skin types.

Plantscription Anti-Aging eye cream (15ml SGD $78)

It is a rich, ultra - hydrating eye cream that quickly absorbs and addresses four major signs of aging including crow’s feet, cross hatching lines, under eye troughs and lid crepiness, while also helping to visibly lift and firm the eye area.

Anogeissus Tree Bark helps to minimize the appearance of lines, wrinkles and creases while Centauriumrestores elasticity and bounce to flaccid eye area skin and Kombucha (fermented Black Tea) lifts and firms.

Magnolia and Cucumber help reduce the appearance of dark circles. Hydrating plant ingredients Squalane and Jojoba moisturize. Proven safe and gentle for all skin types.

I was given a press sample of the Plantscription Anti-Aging cream to test out. Currently I am using it in replacement of my regular night cream. I have very oily skin so am not using this in the day just yet. My first thoughts are that it is light weight and easily absorbed. I am trying my best to incorporate some massaging techniques I have learnt from the workshop but I'm hopeless. This cream has a very soothing scent I associate with a good massage so yay to that. I'll do an in depth review of the cream after I used it for a longer time.

The best part of the workshop was finally sitting down and chatting up with lovely Chantana from Everbluec (I am a big fan of her two uber cute dogs) and Kas from Shine, Shimmer & Sparkle whom I have been following for ages.

Thursday, January 24, 2013

I know this post is way out dated but that is sometimes that trouble with blogging. My posts are not catching up to my shopping and acquisitions. I have this with me for close to a month now and I am not sure whether you can still find this palette. But if you can and you love blues, you need to hunt this down quick.

I own one other Pure Chromatic which is the No. 8. I like the formula enough to buy another palette especially when there are stunning blues involved. I saw Arctic Night in some of my favourite blogs namely Zibbie Ko and The Make-up Blogette. I was deeply attracted to the deep blue and complex burgundy shade. When I couldn't find it at the airport during my Bali trip I decided to head down to Tangs Orchard to get it before they were sold out.

The palette comes in a pretty sequin pouch that flashes silver and blue.

The gold casing attracts a lot of finger prints and I notice that once in a while I need to use a cloth to give it a good rub because the gold casing looks a little dirty after a while.

The burgundy colour on the top left is a duo chrome shade that flashes deep blue at certain angles. It is gorgeous when layered over the deep blue. The icy pale blue / white has light blue sparkles.

Dry swatch

Wet swatch

Chromatics eye shadows are impressive when they are used wet. The dark colours are sheerer when used dry.Here is a look I did with the palette using all the colours.

Bright blue used wet on the inner corners and blending out

Dark blue used wet from the outer corners blending in

Burgundy shade used dry on the crease area

Blend the burgundy so that there isn't a crisp line

Add the icy white shade on brow bone and blend with the rest of the colours. And tight line using a black liner.

Line the bottom lash line with a dark blue pencil and the inner corners with a pearly white. Curl lashes and add mascara, loads of it.

Tada!

Face:

Giorgio Armani Fluid Master Primer

Burberry Sheer Foundation

Giorgio Armani Microfil Loose Powder

Cheeks:

Burberry Light Glow in Cameo

Eyes:

NARS Smudeproof Eyeshadow Base

YSL Arctic Night Palette

Chanel Stylo Yeux Waterproof Noir Intense

Urban Decay 24/7 Glide On Eye Pencils in Deviant and Yeyo

Giorgio Armani Eyes To Kill Waterproof mascara

Lancome Hypnose Doll Eyes Mascara

Lips:

Stila Lip Liner

Suqqu Creamy Glow Lipstick Asasuou

I bought a top hat thingy to wear for a friend's wedding. DH said that I should wear a proper hat so I bought a cute red hat. Since I don't really have a chance to wear this one I thought I would goof off with it.

SGD $88. It is a worth it palette for me just because of the deep blue and burgundy shade. I experience minimal smudging and fading. I am kicking myself for not making use of the Feel Unique 20% discount to get this palette when I had the chance.